from ebay listing August 31 2023
SOME ADVICE:
This computer is easily worth $200 if you are a collector interested in the condition of your ZX81.
On the other hand, if you want a ZX81 to play with, you can generally purchase working ZX81s for under $100 on ebay, often with accessories. Also, I plan on selling ZX81s later this year, here on ebay for less than $200 that have already been internally upgraded for 16K RAM, composite video, switching power regulator, ULA heatsink, and tactile keyboard.
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Sinclair ZX81 Computer
NEW CONDITION
This is a real collectors item because of its condition. In 1988 I purchased a carton of 33 of these computers that were manufactured in England and originally destined for South America.
This is a real collectors item because of its condition. In 1988 I purchased a carton of 33 of these computers that were manufactured in England and originally destined for South America.
The ZX81 was carefully stored and is like new. I recently hooked it up to a Curtis Black and White TV and checked the keyboard and ran a short BASIC program and it tested fine. The video on this TV is a bit noisy but what you would expect with RF output. The only way to get a very clear display is installing a composite video adapter like the very popular ZX8-CCB that I sell.
VIDEO SPECIFICATION
This is the same model that was sold in the US. It features a select switch on the bottom for Channel 2 or 3 NTSC and the case has the silver RF shielding inside and the FCC identification Data labeled on the back. The NTSC standard was used in North, Central, and South America except for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
This is the same model that was sold in the US. It features a select switch on the bottom for Channel 2 or 3 NTSC and the case has the silver RF shielding inside and the FCC identification Data labeled on the back. The NTSC standard was used in North, Central, and South America except for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
DOCUMENTATION
The BASIC manual is in Spanish. It is a direct translation of the English version. It is perfect bound, rather than spiral bound.
The BASIC manual is in Spanish. It is a direct translation of the English version. It is perfect bound, rather than spiral bound.
POWER SUPPLY
The Sinclair power supply is 60HZ, 110VAC in, 9VDC Out.
The Sinclair power supply is 60HZ, 110VAC in, 9VDC Out.
CABLES
The kit comes with its two original cables :
The kit comes with its two original cables :
1 - There is a twin audio cable featuring color-coded 3.5mm mono plugs for hooking up a tape recorder.
2- There is a video cable with an RCA video plug on one side and a co-axial RF connector that is common on TVs in many non-US countries. I do not know that exact name for this connector.
PHOTOS ABOVE
1. The front of the Sinclair ZX81 box
2. The back of the Sinclair ZX81 box
3. The open box and closed styrofoam clamshell packaging
4. The two half styrofoam clamshell pieces with contents: ZX81, Manual, Power Supply, Cables
5. The two half styrofoam clamshell pieces with contents: ZX81 removed, Manual, Power Supply, Cables
6. The front of the ZX81
7. The back of the ZX81
8. The Spanish Language version of the Sinclair BASIC Manual
9. Color-coded twin 3.5mm monaural plug tape recorder audio cable
10. The South American style RF Video cable
11. The sample BASIC program running on a TV
11. The sample BASIC program running on a TV
12. I ship, outside the kit packaging, the two hardware items that differentiate how the kit was sold in the U.S. market versus South America. I include an original Sinclair RCA Video plug to RCA Video plug video cable, and an original Sinclair video switch box. I am able to do this because I purchased a huge quantity of spare parts from Sinclair in the 1980s.
I generally ship ZX81s in a 14"x12"x6" box and the total weight comes to approximately 4 lbs.
Shipping in the U.S. is generally by FedEx or UPS.
I use the ebay Global Shipping Program for International sales.
I generally ship ZX81s in a 14"x12"x6" box and the total weight comes to approximately 4 lbs.
Shipping in the U.S. is generally by FedEx or UPS.
I use the ebay Global Shipping Program for International sales.